Refuse-collecting apparatus and system

ABSTRACT

A refuse-collecting apparatus includes a movable unit comprising a wheeled trailer chassis with a refuse-receiving receptacle pivotally mounted thereon for movement between a generally horizontal position and a tilted dumping position. A loading aperture extends through a pivotally mounted tailgate assembly for alignment with a loading chamber of a stationary unit to which the movable unit can be detachably coupled and which is provided at a permanent location such as an apartment building. A loading plunger pushes refuse from within the loading chamber through the loading aperture for compaction by a vertically reciprocable compacting plunger provided in the refuse-receiving receptacle. Flexible hydraulic hoses with quick-disconnect couplings permit operation of the compacting plunger from a hydraulic system provided on the stationary unit for operating the loading plunger as well as permitting operation of a hydraulic-dumping cylinder for moving the refuse-receiving receptacle from a hydraulic system provided on a towing vehicle used for moving the movable unit from its loading location to a refuse dump.

United States Patent Smith 1 Mar. 7, 1972 [54] REFUSE-COLLECTINGAPPARATUS Primary Examiner-Robert G. Sheridan AND SYSTEM Attorney-Smart& Biggar [72] Inventor: Harold Eugene Smith, Defiance, Ohio [57]ABSTRACT [73] Assigme: 2 g? Canada Toronw omado A refuse-collectingapparatus includes a movable unit coman a prising a wheeled trailerchassis with a refuse-receiving recep- [22] Filed: Jan. 19, 1970 taclepivotally mounted thereon for movement between a generally horizontalposition and a tilted dumping position. A [21] Appl l loading apertureextends through a pivotally mounted tailgate Related Us Application Danassembly for alignment with a loading chamber of a stationary 1 unit towhich the movable unit can be detachably coupled and commuatlon-m-partof 703,214, 18, which is provided at a permanent location such as anapart- 1968- ment building. A loading plunger pushes refuse from withinthe loading chamber through the loading aperture for com- [52] US. Cl...2l4/4l, 100/229 A paction by a vertically recimcmablev compactingplunger [51] i Cl P 67/20 vided in the refuse-receiving receptacle.Flexible hydraulic [58] Field of Search "214/41, 100/229 A hoses withquickdisconnect couplings permit operation of the compacting plungerfrom a hydraulic system provided on the [56] Retem C'ted stationary unitfor operating the loading plunger as well as per- UNITED STATES PATENTSmitting operation of a hydraulic-dumping cylinder for moving 3,490,6311/1970 Smith 3,231,107 l/l966 Clar.....

3,250,414 5/1966 Pioch ..2l4/41 the refuse-receiving receptacle from ahydraulic system provided on a towing vehicle used for moving themovable unit from its loading location to a refuse dump.

10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDMAR 7 I972 HAROLD EUGENE SMITHREFUSE-COLLECTING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM This application is acontinuation-in-part of pending application Ser. No. 703,214, filed Jan.18, 1968 of Harold E. Smith and entitled Refuse Collecting Apparatus."

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally torefuse-collecting apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus whichincludes a stationary unit which can be permanently located at a desiredlocation such as an apartment building, supermarket, hospital or thelike and a movable refuse-receiving unit which can be detachably coupledto the stationary unit for the loading of refuse into the movable unitand which can be separated from that stationary unit when it is desiredto transport the refuse-receiving unit to a dump or other refusedisposal site. A replacement refuse-receiving unit can then be coupledto the stationary unit for receiving refuse therefrom.

In refuse-collecting apparatus of this type, it is desirable to obtainthe maximum possible compaction of the refuse in the refuse-receivingreceptacle of the movable unit so as to eliminate the need for frequentemptying of that receptacle.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide arefuse-collecting apparatus of the aforementioned type which apparatusis characterized by providing a high degree of 2 5 refuse compactionthereby considerably eliminating the need for too frequent replacementof the refuse-receiving receptacle of such an apparatus. A

It is another object of the present invention to provide arefuse-collecting apparatus of the type hereinbefore described whichapparatus can be constructed and operated relatively inexpensively sinceit does not call for a high-cost motorized vehicle to be parked forextended periods of time at a refusecollecting location.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a refusecollectingapparatus incorporating a particularly effective arrangement ofcooperating refuse-handling plungers for the purposes of transferringrefuse into a refuse-receiving receptacle of such an apparatus and forproviding compaction of such refuse in such a receptacle.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the descriptionherein proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In its broadest scope, the'present inventionprovides a refuse-collecting apparatus including: a stationarysupporting frame; a wheeled chassis; a refuse-receiving receptaclepivotally mounted on said wheeled chassis for movement between agenerally horizontal loading position and a tilted dumping position andincluding a discharge end for the dumping of refuse from within saidrefuse-receiving receptacle when said receptacle is disposed in saidtilted dumping position thereof; a tailgate assembly pivotally mountedon said refuse-receiving receptacle at said discharge end thereof formovement between open and closed positions; a locking means fordetachably securing said wheeled chassis to said stationary supportingframe; a loading aperture through said tailgate assembly of saidrefuse-receiving receptacle for the transfer of refuse into saidreceptacle through said loading aperture when said wheeled chassis isdetachably secured to said stationary supporting frame; a loadingchamber mounted on said stationary supporting frame so as to be adjacentsaid loading aperture of said tailgate assembly of said refusereceivingreceptacle when said wheeled chassis is detachably secured to saidstationary supporting frame with said refusereceiving receptacle in saidgenerally horizontal loading position thereof; a loading plungerdisposed within said loading chamber for movement therein toward andaway from said loading aperture for pushing refuse from within saidloading chamber through said loading aperture into said refuse-receivingreceptacle; a loading plunger drive mechanism operatively associatedwith said loading plunger for moving said loading plunger toward andaway from said loading aperture; a refusecompacting plunger on saidwheeled chassis for movement across said loading aperture for compactingrefuse against a working surface after movement of such refuse out ofsaid loading chamber by said loading plunger; and a compacting plungerdrive mechanism operatively associated with said refuse-compactingplunger for moving said refuse-compacting plunger across said loadingaperture and toward and away from said working surface when said wheeledchassis is detachably secured to said stationary supporting frame.

In a refuse-collecting apparatus in accordance with the presentinvention, a movable closure is usefully provided for closing theloading aperture of the refuse-receiving receptacle when the wheeledchassis on which that receptacle is mounted is separate fromthestationary unit comprising the loading chamber and associatedcomponents and mechanism.

In the use of a refuse-collecting apparatus in accordance with thepresent invention, the wheeled chassis with the refuse-receivingreceptacle thereon may periodically, for example, once a week or more orless frequently, be uncoupled from the stationary unit comprising thestationary supporting frame with the loading chamber thereon and, ifdesired, replaced by another movable unit of the same type. The movableunit loaded with refuse is then towed by a separate towing vehicle to arefuse dump at which the refuse-receiving receptacle of the movable unitis elevated into a tilted position for dumping of compacted refuse fromtherewithin In one embodiment of a refuse-collecting apparatus inaccordance with the present invention, the refuse-compacting plunger ofthe apparatus can be built into the aforementioned tailgate assembly.When a refuse-collecting apparatus of this type is provided, inaccordance with another particularly valuable feature of the presentinvention, with a hydraulically operated tilting drive mechanism foreffecting movement of the refuse-receiving receptacle between itsgenerally horizontal loading position and its tilted dumping position,such a hydraulically operated mechanism is usefully provided withflexible hydraulic hoses terminating in quick-disconnect couplings sothat the hoses can be coupled to a hydraulic pump or pressure systemprovided on the towing vehicle so that the dumping mechanism can beoperated at a refuse dump by such a pump or pressure system of thetowing vehicle. Similarly, if the apparatus includes a hydraulicallyoperated tailgate mechanism for moving the tailgate assembly between itsopen and closed positions, such mechanism may also be adapted to becoupled to a hydraulic pump or pressure system on the towing vehicle.

In the event that the refuse-compacting plunger of a refusecollectingapparatus of this invention is hydraulically operated and is installedin the tailgate assembly of the refuse-receiving receptacle in themanner hereinbefore mentioned, the apparatus will usefully include arefuse-compacting plunger drive mechanism having flexible hydraulichoses terminating in quick-disconnect couplings so that therefuse-compacting plunger drive mechanism can be coupled to a stationaryhydraulic system provided on the stationary unit on which the loadingchamber is mounted. Usefully a single hydraulic pressure system isprovided on the stationary unit for operating the loading plunger ofthat unit and for operating the refuse-compacting plunger of the movableunit when the latter is detachably coupled to that stationary unit. Itis within the scope of this invention to utilize any appropriate drivesystem for operating such a stationary hydraulic drive mechanism. It is,for example, possible to utilize a stationary internal combustion enginefor driving a hydraulic pump mounted on the stationary supporting frameof that unit. Alternatively, the unit may include an electricallyoperated pump intended to be energized from the existing electricalsupply system of a building such as an apartment building at which thestationary unit is located.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe description herein proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be describedmerely by way of illustration with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of a refuse-collectingapparatus in accordance with the present invention showing certaincomponents in phantom outline and the apparatus in its refuse-receivingdisposition;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat schematic side elevation of the refusecollectingapparatus of FIG. 1 showing the movable refusecollecting trailer of theapparatus about to be towed by a towing vehicle to a refuse disposalsite; and

FIG. 3 is a somewhat schematic side elevation similar to that of FIG. 2and showing a refuse-receiving receptacle of the apparatus in its tilteddumping position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT One embodiment of arefuse-collecting apparatus in accordance with the present invention isindicated generally at in the accompanying drawings. The apparatus 10includes a stationary unit generally indicated at 11 and a movable unitgenerally indicated at 12. The stationary unit 11 includes a stationarysupporting frame 13 supported by legs 14. On the supporting frame 13,there is permanently mounted a loading chamber 15 into which arefuse-containing bin or other container (not shown) can be emptied. Aloading plunger 16 is disposed within the loading chamber 15 forlongitudinal reciprocation therein as indicated by the double-headedarrow A. Such longitudinal reciprocation of the loading plunger 16 isobtained by means of a double-acting hydraulic cylinder 17 including apiston rod 18 on the end of which the aforementioned loading plunger 16is suitably mounted. A housing generally indicated at 20 is usefullyprovided on the stationary unit 11 for guiding refuse into the loadingchamber 15 and a retractable curtain or shield (not shown) usefullyextends from the upper edge surface of the loading plunger 16 into thehousing 20 to prevent refuse falling behind the loading plunger 16.

Locking hooks 22 are pivotally mounted on the stationary unit 11 forreleasable engagement with locking pins 23 provided for this purpose onthe movable unit 12 to prevent separation of the two units duringoperation of the aforementioned loading plunger 16.

Referring next in greater detail to the movable unit 12 of therefuse-collecting apparatus 10, it will be seen that this unit 12includes a refuse-receiving receptacle 25 mounted on a chassis 26supported in turn by a pair of wheels 27. At its forward end, thechassis 26 includes a tongue 28 having a trailer hitch 29 providedthereon for detachably coupling the movable unit 12 to a towing vehiclegenerally indicated at 30 in FIGS. 2 and 3 and not shown in FIG. 1 ofthe accompanying drawings.

The aforementioned refuse-receiving receptacle 25 is pivotally mountedon the chassis 26 as shown at 32 for movement of the receptacle 25between the generally horizontal position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and thetilted dumping position shown in FIG. 3. A double-acting hydrauliccylinder 33 is pivotally connected between the refuse-receivingreceptacle 25 and the chassis 26 for moving the former between its twopositions.

On its rear discharge end, the refuse-receiving receptacle 25 isprovided with a tailgate assembly generally indicated at 36 andpivotally mounted at its upper forward edge on the refusereceivingreceptacle 25 as indicated at 37. Double-acting hydraulic cylinders 38are pivotally connected to both the tailgate assembly 36 and therefuse-receiving receptacle 25 on both sides of the latter for movingthe tailgate assembly 36 between a generally vertical closed position asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and an open position as shown in FIG. 3. Lockinghooks 40 pivotally mounted on the sides of the refuse-receivingreceptacle 25 are adapted to engage locking pins 41 provided on thetailgate assembly 36 for the purpose of releasably holding the assembly36 in its closed position.

Referring now in greater detail to the construction of the tailgateassembly 36 illustrated in FIG. 1, it is to be noted that an opening orloading aperture 44 is provided in the tailgate assembly 36 so as to beadjacent the loading chamber 15 of the stationary unit 11 when themovable unit 12 is secured thereto by the aforementioned locking hooks22. A cover 45 is pivotally mounted at 46 on the outside of the tailgateassembly 36 for closing the loading aperture 44 when the movable unit 12is separate from the stationary unit 11. A latch mechanism 47 isprovided for holding the cover 45 in its open position while a similarlatch mechanism 48 is provided for holding the door 45 in its closedposition after it has been swung downwardly about the pivot 46 asindicated by the arrow B (FIG. 2).

In accordance with another important feature of the present invention, arefuse-compacting plunger 50 is provided within the tailgate assembly 36for vertical reciprocation therein as indicated by the double-headedarrow C. The refuse-compacting plunger 50 is carried'on the lower end ofa piston rod 51 which extends from the lower end of a double-actinghydraulic cylinder 52 pivotally mounted at its upper end as indicated at53 within the tailgate assembly 36. Suitable guide means (not shown)will be provided within the tailgate 36 to facilitate the aforementionedvertical reciprocation of the refuse-compacting plunger 50 therein. Withfurther reference to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the refuse-compactingplunger 50 has a refusecompacting undersurface 55 which is operative, onoperation of the hydraulic cylinder 52, to compress refuse pushedtherebelow by the loading plunger 16 against a generally horizontal baseor floor 56 of the assembly 36. In accordance with another particularlyuseful feature of this embodiment of a refuse-collecting apparatus ofthe invention, the undersurface 55 of the refuse-compacting plunger 50usefully slopes forwardly and upwardly at a small angle as actuallyillustrated in FIG. 1.

Before describing the manner in which the refuse-collecting apparatus ofFIG. 10 is used, it should also be explained that the apparatus 10 isprovided with hydraulic pressure systems for operating thehereinbefore-mentioned hydraulic cylinders. In particular, it is to benoted that the hydraulic cylinder for operating the loading plunger 16is permanently connected to a fixed hydraulic pressure system 59provided on the stationary unit 11 and including a reservoir 60, a pump61 and an electric motor 62 powered, for example, through cord 63 fromthe existing electrical distribution system of a building, such as anapartment building, hospital, supermarket or the like, at which thestationary unit 11 is permanently installed. Although the apparatus 10has been described as incorporating the electric motor 62, it is equallywithin the scope of this invention to use a stationary internalcombustion engine for the same purpose.

In accordance with a particularly useful feature of the invention, thehydraulic cylinder 52 of the refusecompacting plunger 50 is usefullyprovided with flexible fluid hoses 65 and 66 fitted withquick-disconnect couplings 67 for coupling to mating couplings 68 onhoses 69 and 70 extending from the aforementioned fixed hydraulicpressure system 59 so that the refusecompacting plunger 50 can beoperated by that system 59 when the movable unit 12 is coupled to thestationary unit 1 1 at the permanent location of the latter. Anappropriate control valve 71 with operating handle 72 is provided topermit manual control of the operation of the loading plunger 16 and ofthe refuse-compacting plunger 50. Automatic controls, for example, inthe form of pressure-responsive switches (not shown) may be provided toensure the preferred operating sequence, namely, downward extension ofthe refuse-compacting plunger 50 after forward extension of the loadingplunger 16.

The hydraulic cylinder 33 used for effecting movement of therefuse-receiving receptacle 25 between its generally horizontal positionand its tilted dumping position is provided with hoses 73 terminating ina valve block 74 having a manual control handle 75. Similarly, in theevent that the tailgate assembly 36 is adapted to be moved between itsopen and closed positions by hydraulic. cylinders such as the cylinders38 shown in FIG. 1, the latter cylinders will also usefully be connectedto the valve block 73 by hoses 76 and 77, a control handle 78 beingprovided for effecting manual control of the tailgate cylinders 38.Flexible hoses 79 and 80 extending from the valve block 74 terminate inquick-disconnect couplings 81 which can be detachably coupled to matingcouplings on the ends of hoses 82 and 83 of a hydraulic pressure systemprovided on the towing vehicle 30 and suitably powered by the primaryengine of that vehicle.

In use, the stationary unit 11 is permanently installed at the desiredlocation, such as an apartment building, for receiving refuse or garbageinto its loading chamber 15. A movable unit such as the unit 12 isdetachably coupled by locking hooks 22 to the stationary unit 1 1 afterthe cover 45 has been elevated after releasing the latch mechanism 48.The flexible hoses 65 and 66 from the cylinder 52 of therefuse-compacting plunger 50 are then coupled by the aforementionedcouplings 67 to the mating couplings 68 of the stationary hydraulicpressure system 59 of the stationary unit 11, the pressure system 59being permanently coupled to the hydraulic cylinder 17 of the loadingplunger 16 for operation thereof. When refuse is introduced into theloading chamber 15, it is first pushed through the loading aperture 44into the refuse-receiving receptacle 25 for compaction by therefuse-compacting plunger 50. Both the loading plunger 16 and therefuse-compacting plunger 50 are then retracted and the operating cyclecontinues. It should be understood that the refuse-collecting apparatusmay be provided with controls whereby such simultaneous operation of theloading plunger and of the refuse-compacting plunger 50 takes placeautomatically after operating a single control switch or valve such ascontrol handle 72. Alternatively, the apparatus 10 may be provided witha separate control for each of the plungers 16 and 50. In view of thehigh degree of refuse compaction obtained in this manner, a relativelysmall vehicle 12 can be used for receiving a considerable amount ofrefuse.

When it is desired to empty the refuse-receiving receptacle 25, themovable unit 12 is coupled to a towing vehicle such as the towingvehicle 30 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 by means of the trailer hitch 29 andthe flexible hoses 79 and 80 extending from the valve block 74 arecoupled to the hoses 82 and 83 respectively so that the tilting dumpingcylinder 33 and the tailgate cylinders 38, if provided, are coupled to ahydraulic pressure system of that towing vehicle. The hoses 65 and 66 ofthe compacting plunger cylinder 52 are then uncoupled from the hoses 69and 70 of the hydraulic pressure system 59 of the stationary unit 11and, after moving the movable unit 12 a short distance away from thatstationary unit 11, the cover 45 is swung downwardly about its pivots 46so as to close the loading aperture 44, the latch mechanism 48 servingto hold the cover 45 in its closed position. If it is desired to operatethe refuse-compacting plunger 50 while the movable unit 12 is coupled tothe towing vehicle 30, the hoses 65 and 66 from the refuse-compactingplunger cylinder 50 may be detachably coupled to the hydraulic pressuresystem of the towing vehicle 30.

After the movable unit 12 has been towed to a refuse dump by the towingvehicle 30, controls 78 and 75 are operated respectively to cause thetailgate cylinders 38 to open the tailgate 36 and to cause the dumpingcylinder 33 to elevate the refuse-receiving receptacle 25 into itstilted dumping position as actually shown in FIG. 3.

What I claim is:

l. A refuse-collecting apparatus including:

a stationary unit;

a wheeled chassis;

a refuse-receiving receptacle pivotally mounted on said wheeled chassisfor movement between a generally horizontal loading position andincluding a discharge end for the dumping of refuse from within saidrefuse-receiving receptacle when said receptacle is disposed in saidtilted dumping position thereof;

a'tailgate assembly pivotally mounted on said refuse-receivingreceptacle at said discharge end thereof for movement between open andclosed positions;

a locking means for detachably securing said wheeled chassis to saidstationary unit;

a loading aperture through said tailgate assembly of saidrefuse-receiving receptacle for the transfer of refuse into saidreceptacle through said loading aperture when said wheeled chassis isdetachably secured to said stationary unit;

a loading chamber incorporated with said stationary unit so as to beadjacent said loading aperture of said tailgate as sembly of saidrefuse-receiving receptacle when said wheeled chassis is detachablysecured to said stationary unit with said refuse-receiving receptacle insaid generally horizontal loading position thereof;

a loading plunger disposed within said loading chamber for movementtherein toward and away from said loading aperture for pushing refusefrom within said loading chamber through said loading aperture into saidrefusereceiving receptacle;

a loading plunger drive mechanism operatively associated with saidloading plunger for moving said loading plunger toward and away fromsaid loading aperture;

a refuse-compacting plunger on said wheeledchassis for movement acrosssaid loading aperture for compacting refuse against a working surfaceafter movement of such refuse out of said loading chamber and throughsaid loading aperture on operation of said loading plunger; and

a compacting plunger drive mechanism operatively as-v sociated with saidrefusecompacting plunger for moving said refuse-compacting plungeracross said loading aperture and toward and away from said workingsurface when said wheeled chassis is detachably secured to saids'tationary unit.

2. A refuse-collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which apparatusadditionally includes a movable closure associated with said loadingaperture of said tailgate assembly of said refuse-receiving receptacleand adapted to be moved between a closed position for closing saidloading aperture when said wheeled chassis is detached from saidstationary unit and an open position for the passage of refuse from saidloading chamber through said loading aperture and into saidrefusereceiving receptacle when said wheeled chassis is detachablysecured to said stationary unit.

3. A refuse-collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which saidwheeled chassis forms part of a trailer having a forward end with meansthereon for detachable attachment of said trailer to a towing vehicle,in which said discharge end of said refuse-receiving receptacle isdisposed rearwardly thereof and in which said refuse-receivingreceptacle is pivotally mounted on said wheeled chassis in proximity tosaid discharge end of said receptacle.

4. A refuse-collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 3 which apparatusadditionally includes a hydraulic tilting drive mechanism operativelyinterconnecting said wheeled chassis and said refuse-receivingreceptacle for moving said receptacle between said generallyhorizontal'loading position thereof and said tilted dumping positionthereof, in which both said loading plunger drive mechanism and saidcompacting plunger drive mechanism are adapted to be operated from astationary hydraulic pressure system when said wheeled chassis isdetachably secured to said stationary unit and in which said hydraulictilting drive mechanism is adapted to be operated from a hydraulicpressure system of a towing vehicle when said wheeled chassis is coupledto such a towing vehicle.

5. A refuse-collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which saidcompacting plunger drive mechanism includes hydraulic hoses terminatingin quick-disconnect couplings for detachable coupling to said stationaryhydraulic pressure system when said wheeled chassisis detachably securedto said stationary unit and in which said hydraulic tilting drivemechanism includes hydraulic hoses terminating in quickreceptacle.

9. A refuse-collecting apparatus as claimed in claim I including ahydraulic pivoting drive mechanism operatively associated with saidtailgate assembly for moving said tailgate assembly between open andclosed positions.

10. A refuse-collecting apparatus as claimed in -claim 9 wherein saidhydraulic pivoting-drive mechanism is adapted to be operated from ahydraulic pressure system of a towing vehicle when said wheeled chassisis coupled to such a towing vehicle.

# II i t t

1. A refuse-collecting apparatus including: a stationary unit; a wheeledchassis; a refuse-receiving receptacle pivotally mounted on said wheeledchassis for movement between a generally horizontal loading position andincluding a discharge end for the dumping of refuse from within saidrefuse-receiving receptacle when said receptacle is disposed in saidtilted dumping position thereof; a tailgate assembly pivotally mountedon said refuse-receiving receptacle at said discharge end thereof formovement between open and closed positions; a locking means fordetachably securing said wheeled chassis to said stationary unit; aloading aperture through said tailgate assembly of said refuse-receivingreceptacle for the transfer of refuse into said receptacle through saidloading aperture when said wheeled chassis is detachably secured to saidstationary unit; a loading chamber incorporated with said stationaryunit so as to be adjacent said loading aperture of said tailgateassembly of said refuse-receiving receptacle when said wheeled chassisis detachably secured to said stationary unit with said refusereceivingreceptacle in said generally horizontal loading position thereof; aloading plunger disposed within said loading chamber for movementtherein toward and away from said loading aperture for pushing refusefrom within said loading chamber through said loading aperture into saidrefuse-receiving receptacle; a loading plunger drive mechanismoperatively associated with said loading plunger for moving said loadingplunger toward and away from said loading aperture; a refuse-compactingplunger on said wheeled chassis for movement across said loadingaperture for compacting refuse against a working surface after movementof such refuse out of said loading chamber and through said loadingaperture on operation of said loading plunger; and a compacting plungerdrive mechanism operatively associated with said refuse-compactingplunger for moving said refusecompacting plunger across said loadingaperture and toward and away from said working surface when said wheeledchassis is detachably secured to said stationary unit.
 2. Arefuse-collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which apparaTusadditionally includes a movable closure associated with said loadingaperture of said tailgate assembly of said refuse-receiving receptacleand adapted to be moved between a closed position for closing saidloading aperture when said wheeled chassis is detached from saidstationary unit and an open position for the passage of refuse from saidloading chamber through said loading aperture and into saidrefuse-receiving receptacle when said wheeled chassis is detachablysecured to said stationary unit.
 3. A refuse-collecting apparatus asclaimed in claim 1 in which said wheeled chassis forms part of a trailerhaving a forward end with means thereon for detachable attachment ofsaid trailer to a towing vehicle, in which said discharge end of saidrefuse-receiving receptacle is disposed rearwardly thereof and in whichsaid refuse-receiving receptacle is pivotally mounted on said wheeledchassis in proximity to said discharge end of said receptacle.
 4. Arefuse-collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 3 which apparatusadditionally includes a hydraulic tilting drive mechanism operativelyinterconnecting said wheeled chassis and said refuse-receivingreceptacle for moving said receptacle between said generally horizontalloading position thereof and said tilted dumping position thereof, inwhich both said loading plunger drive mechanism and said compactingplunger drive mechanism are adapted to be operated from a stationaryhydraulic pressure system when said wheeled chassis is detachablysecured to said stationary unit and in which said hydraulic tiltingdrive mechanism is adapted to be operated from a hydraulic pressuresystem of a towing vehicle when said wheeled chassis is coupled to sucha towing vehicle.
 5. A refuse-collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 4in which said compacting plunger drive mechanism includes hydraulichoses terminating in quick-disconnect couplings for detachable couplingto said stationary hydraulic pressure system when said wheeled chassisis detachably secured to said stationary unit and in which saidhydraulic tilting drive mechanism includes hydraulic hoses terminatingin quick-disconnect couplings for detachable coupling with a hydraulicpressure system of a towing vehicle when said wheeled chassis is coupledto such a towing vehicle.
 6. A refuse-collecting apparatus as claimed inclaim 5 in which said refuse-compacting plunger is disposed within saidtailgate assembly.
 7. A refuse-collecting apparatus as claimed in claim1 wherein said locking means is located between said tailgate assemblyand said stationary unit.
 8. A refuse-collecting apparatus as claimed inclaim 1 including a second locking means for releaseably securing saidpivotally mounted tailgate assembly to said refuse-receiving receptacle.9. A refuse-collecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including ahydraulic pivoting drive mechanism operatively associated with saidtailgate assembly for moving said tailgate assembly between open andclosed positions.
 10. A refuse-collecting apparatus as claimed in claim9 wherein said hydraulic pivoting-drive mechanism is adapted to beoperated from a hydraulic pressure system of a towing vehicle when saidwheeled chassis is coupled to such a towing vehicle.